Vehicle implement attachment system

Abstract

A vehicle implement attachment assembly has a frame, a spring loaded stand assembly, a first portion of a lock at one end of the frame, and a utility attachment at the other end of the frame. The stand assembly supports the end of the frame having the first portion of the lock thereon, such that the first portion of the lock at least as high as a second portion of the lock located on a vehicle. When the vehicle is moved towards the vehicle implement, it pushes down on the end of the frame having the first portion of the lock thereon to properly align the first and second portions of the lock so that they can be engaged. The lock is then locked and the vehicle implement can be used with the vehicle.

1 . A vehicle implement attachment assembly for attaching a vehicle implement to a vehicle, the assembly comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end, the first end being constructed and arranged to cooperate with a utility attachment;    a lock having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the lock being operatively connected to the second end of the frame, the second portion of the lock being disposed on the vehicle, the first portion of the lock being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the second portion of the lock; and    a stand assembly disposed on the frame, for supporting the frame at a variable height above the ground when the utility attachment is attached to the frame, the height of the stand assembly diminishing at least in response to movement of the vehicle to a vehicle implement engagement position.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicle implement of  claim 1 , wherein the stand assembly comprises a stand and a spring attached to the stand.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicle implement of  claim 2 , wherein the height of the stand assembly is adjustable.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicle implement of  claim 1 , wherein the stand assembly is moveable between a first position supporting the frame and a second position where the stand assembly is stowed away.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicle implement of  claim 4 , wherein the stand assembly is rotatable between the first and the second positions.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicle implement of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the stand assembly is operatively connected to the first portion of the lock such that moving the stand assembly to the first position unlocks the lock and moving the stand assembly to the second position locks the lock.    
   
   
       7 . The vehicle implement of  claim 2 , further comprising a miller operatively connected to the second end of the frame and adapted for receiving a downward force as the vehicle moves to the vehicle implement engagement position.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicle implement of  claim 1 , further comprising the utility attachment operatively connected to the first end of the frame.  
   
   
       9 . The vehicle implement of  claim 8 , wherein the utility attachment is pivotally connected to the first end of the frame.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicle implement of  claim 8 , wherein the utility attachment is a plow.  
   
   
       11 . A vehicle implement attachment assembly for attaching a vehicle implement to a vehicle, the assembly comprising: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end, the first end being constructed and arranged to cooperate with a utility attachment;    a lock having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the lock being operatively connected to the second end of the frame, the second portion of the lock being disposed on the vehicle, the first portion of the lock being constructed and arranged to cooperate with the second portion of the lock; and    a stand assembly operatively connected to the frame, the stand assembly being moveable between a first position supporting the frame and a second position where the stand assembly is stowed away, the stand assembly being operatively connected to the first portion of the lock such that moving the stand assembly to the first position unlocks the lock and moving the stand assembly to the second position locks the lock.    
   
   
       12 . The vehicle implement of  claim 11 , wherein the stand assembly is rotatable between the first and the second positions.  
   
   
       13 . The vehicle implement of  claim 12 , further comprising another lock connected to the frame for locking the stand assembly in the first and the second positions.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle implement of  claim 11 , further comprising a utility attachment operatively connected to the first end of the frame.  
   
   
       15 . The vehicle implement of  claim 14 , wherein the utility attachment is pivotally connected to the first end of the frame.  
   
   
       16 . The vehicle implement of  claim 14 , wherein the utility attachment is a plow.  
   
   
       17 . A method for attaching a vehicle implement to a vehicle, 
 the vehicle implement having: 
 a frame having a first end and a second end;  
 a utility attachment operatively connected to the first end;  
 a first portion of a lock operatively connected to the second end; and  
 a stand assembly operatively connected to the frame for supporting the frame when the vehicle implement rests on the ground when the stand assembly is in a first position;  
   the vehicle having: 
 a bracket attached to a portion thereof; and  
 a second portion of the lock being attached to the bracket;  
   the method comprising the steps of:    adjusting the height of the stand assembly when the stand assembly is in the first position, such that the first portion of the lock is at least as high above the ground as the second portion of the lock;    moving the vehicle to a vehicle implement engagement position;    vertically aligning the first portion of the lock with the second portion of the lock by causing the vehicle to lower the second end of the frame as the vehicle moves into the vehicle implement engagement position; and    locking the lock.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of raising the first end of the frame prior to locking the lock.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of raising the first end of the frame is accomplished by attaching a winch wire of a winch of the vehicle to the first end of the frame and at least partially reeling in the winch wire.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the stand assembly has a stand and a spring attached to the stand, and    the step of vertically aligning the first portion of the lock with the second portion of the lock comprises the step of compressing the stand assembly when the vehicle is caused to lower the second end of the frame as the vehicle moves into the vehicle implement engagement position.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the stand assembly is operatively connected to the first portion of the lock, and    the step of locking the lock is achieved by moving the stand assembly from the first position to a second position where the stand assembly is stowed away.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stand assembly is rotated between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of laterally aligning the portion of the lock and the second portion of the lock by moving the vehicle to a vehicle implement engagement position.